Week 1 (scientific method) Flashcards
What is intuition?
Knowledge is gained without intellectual effort or sensory processing
Based upon instincts and emotions
Dependent on cognitive and emotional bias
What is authority? (Ways of knowing)
Knowledge is gained through acceptance of ideas from respected figures
You trust their positions and accept what they say is true
However authorities may rely on intuition be motivated to mislead and could be wrong
What is rationalism/logic? (Ways of knowing)
Knowledge through the application of logical rules
Premise stated, rules applied, conclusion reached
If premise is wrong then the conclusion reached is invalid
What is empiricism? (Ways of knowing)
Knowledge is gained through observation and experience
However, senses limit what we can experience and are open to deceptions and illusions
What is scientific method? (Ways of knowing)
Knowledge is developed through systematic empiricism
Uses rationalism and logic and is combined with empiricism =systematic
Data is systematically collected and evaluated
What are the goals of science
To describe, predict and explain
What are the two different types of research
Basic and applied
What is basic research
Fundamental or pure research aims to increase the understanding of phenomena
Theoretically motivated and isn’t trying to solve any particular problem
What is applied research
The aim is to find solutions to practical problems
What are the five steps to the scientific process
Generate a question Develop procedures Make empirical observations Rationally interpret the observations Use interpretations to predict other events
What are the two different types of logical reasoning
Inductive and deductive
What is inductive reasoning
Goes from specific to general
Observation or data to a theory
If something is true in a particular case therefore it is assumed to apply in more general cases as well
What is deductive reasoning?
Goes from general to specific
Theory to predictions
Is the premises of truth in the conclusion is true
What makes a good theory?
Parsimony: no more complex than needs to be
Testability: must be able to make prediction that are open to empirical refutations
Functional: explains how variables relate to one another
Valid: make specific, testable predictions that are confirmed by observations
What are the phases of research? (7)
Idea generating Problem definition Procedures design Observation Data analysis Interpretation Communication
What are some examples of the idea generating phase?
Read literature in area
Deduce hypotheses from existing theory
Think about variables
What happens in the problem definition stage?
Develop testable hypotheses from previous research and own ideas
These must be specific
What happens during the procedures design phase
Decide:
Variables
What will be measured
What will be manipulated who will be tested how will data be recorded and analysed
What happens in the observation phase?
Doing research
Might begin with a pilot study
What is the data analysis phase
Statistical methods applied
What is the interpretation phase
Inductive process
Data inform answer in relation to hypothesis and how it contributes to existing knowledge
Naturalistic observation?
Observation of a phenomena on in its natural setting the findings have clear applications outside of the lab
Awareness of being observed may affect behaviour and generalisability
Can be biased due to researcher expectations
Case study?
In-depth observation of one person or small group
It is useful when it isn’t very well understood or it is difficult to produce experimentally/is rare
Case may not be representative of larger population and is subject to researcher bias
Relational research?
Attempts to determine the degree to which variables are related
Cannot be used to establish cause and affect lack of control means direction of causation is ambiguous or could be due to another variable
Differential research?
Compares two or more groups that are pre-existing and not under the researchers control
Missing component in quasi experimental research is the random assignment of participants to the treatment conditions this means we can never rule out alternate explanations for the effect that is observed
Experimental research?
Participants are randomly assigned to groups or conditions this means researchers are able to have strict control over all aspects of the study
High constraint means little flexibility these experimental conditions may not translate well to real world settings
